Skip to content

Thyroid Volume Calculator (Ultrasound)

Ellipsoid / Brunn-WHO volumetry (Brunn 1981)

Estimates total thyroid volume from three orthogonal measurements of each lobe using the standard ellipsoid formula or the Brunn (WHO) correction factor.

Also searched as: goiter

Calculation method

Both methods multiply the three orthogonal dimensions of each lobe by a correction factor.

Patient sex (for normal limit)

Optional; used only to select the conventional upper limit of normal.

Left lobe dimension 1
cm
Left lobe dimension 2
cm
Left lobe dimension 3
cm
Right lobe dimension 1
cm
Right lobe dimension 2
cm
Right lobe dimension 3
cm
Information
Incomplete input
  • Missing required input: all three dimensions of at least one lobe (values must be > 0).

How this tool works

Each lobe is modeled as an ellipsoid: volume = length x width x depth x correction factor. The default factor 0.52 approximates pi/6 and is the common clinical standard; the Brunn (WHO) factor 0.479 derives from cadaveric correlation studies and remains in use for epidemiologic goiter monitoring. The total is the sum of both lobes; the isthmus is excluded unless enlarged. Conventional upper limits of normal are about 18 mL in women and 25 mL in men, though typical adult glands measure roughly 10-18 mL and vary with body size and iodine status. Volume assessment supports goiter grading, radioiodine dose planning, and treatment monitoring.

Clinical questions that use this

Vetting guides that reach for this tool.